Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis’ Fleet-of-Foot Girl

Althea Gibson was the quickest, tallest, most fearless athlete in 1940s Harlem. She couldnt sit still! When she put her mind to it, the fleet-of-foot girl reigned supreme at every sportstickball with the boys, basketball with the girls, paddleball with anyone who would hit with her.

But being the quickest, tallest, most fearless player in Harlem wasnt enough for Althea. She knew she could be a tennis champion.

Because of segregation, black people werent allowed to compete against white people in sports. Althea didnt care. She just wanted to play tennis against the best athletes in the world. And with skill and determination, she did just that, eventually becoming the first black personman or womanto win a trophy at Wimbledon.